Written by

Detroit Free Press Sports Writer

Michigan swingman Tim Hardaway Jr. is having a news conference this afternoon to announce whether he'll declare for the NBA draft a year early, and his decision might have been partially shaped by discussions with roommate and U-M captain Josh Bartelstein.

Bartelstein has some insight into the process from growing up around his father, Mark, a renowned sports agent.

ďTim, Iíve talked some with. I live with Tim,Ē Josh Bartelstein said on WTKA-AM (1050) this morning. ďIíve spent a lot of time with Tim. Mitch (McGary) and Glenn (Robinson III), the same thing. All these guys, I donít really tell them what to do, we just talk. Because of my dadís job, Iíve seen a lot, Iíve heard a lot from different people. Luckily for me, I have a lot of information on it.

"I tell them what I think, but at the end of the day, itís an unbelievable opportunity for each and every one of them. Itís a dream come true. Youíve got to think, 'Is it a dream ready right now?'Ē

Bartelsteinís advice centers around a few issues:

• Information: ďThe first thing is youíve got to get information. What makes guys nervous is you go to espn.com and look at a mock draft, Yahoo Sports, which has a mock draft ... those guys are great at their job, but you canít make a decision off that one person. Youíve got to have the coaches go to the advisory board and get their information back. Youíve got to have people talk to teams and get information back. Youíve got to get all sides from people who say you might be the 30th pick and guys who say you might be the 10th pick. Itís probably somewhere in between, and thatís what youíve got to realize.Ē

• Maturity: ďOnce you get all the information back, 'Am I ready to live an NBA lifestyle?' As much as college is a business, the NBA is another whole level. I hear my dad tell it to guys all the time: Your four years in college are the best four years of your life. Youíre playing basketball at the University of Michigan, adored by so many fans and have anything you could ever want is right here. When you get to the NBA, every single day, someone is trying to take your spot. Donít ruin your college time because youíre so quick to get to the NBA. The NBA isnít going anywhere.Ē

• Money: ďThe last thing you need to look at is the money. Everyone wants the money. But the moneyís not going anywhere. The way you really make money and the way you really take care of your family, youíve got to be able to get the second contract. The first contractís great, but itís not going to take care of you for the rest of your life. In order to get the second contract, youíve got to perform in the NBA and be ready when youíre numberís called. Thatís where college is a great steppingstone.Ē